Just one of the very best places I've ever stayed at: amazing views, beautiful rooms and the service which just sets up new standards which are difficult to match. We had Porcelain room, which was absolutely great and enjoyed our time there. But the service is just the best thing about Tsitouras: everything is taylor-made and you decide what do you want and when do you want it, not other way around.

Beyond the views that Fira and Oia are justifiably famous for, this mansion with five separate apartments/houses make a stay in Santorini even better. Perched on the cliffs of Firostefani (a good compromise location between the too-busy Fira and the out-of-the-way Oia full of tour buses midday), this is a very private, quiet, five-star place to stay. It has a very exclusive feel to it, due to the privacy and small size; it's not at all arrogant, fortunately. the free minibar reflects the attitude. We stayed in the House of the Sea, which like the other four parts of the mansion, is decorated with legitimate collector art pieces, like an original Picasso. It comprised a bedroom with a view of the sea; a living room; big bathroom; and private veranda. As great as the location and accommodations are, what really sets this place apart is the warm and generous hostess, Eleni, and the efficient but not obtrusive housemen who serve breakfast, etc. Eleni is a local who knows the island well, and she will plan your days for you, including renting cars from her finance's business (they come to the hotel to take care of the arrangements). You can spend a lot of money here, with tours, etc. Or you can just enjoy the views, the quiet, and use it as a base for exploring on your own. Only problem may be that it is so nice, you don't want to leave.

After viewing other 5-star properties in Santorini, I was glad I chose to stay here. It is a unique boutique hotel with only 5 cottages; the rooms themselves are like museums with lots of art in them but definitely comfortable. All the expected amenities are there and the morning breakfast is served in a very nice way. My House of the Wind included a top-notch upright Yamaha piano and this was an unexpected pleasure. I wouldn't be particular as to whether or not you have a personal sundeck; all rooms are very close to the common area sundeck. You can see other people on the property or avoid them. Service is very personal with two resident butlers Monji and Peter and the owner's daughter Eleni is a gracious hostess-manager and hotelier. The location is very convenient; overlooking the volcano and sea with as good a view of any of the sunsets of Santorini. From there you can walk about 15 minutes to the town of Fira along a promenade with great views of the volcano and sea; take the cable car down to the sea; there are a few decent restaurants within 3 minutes walk of the hotel. On the island I had a car and driver as arranged by the hotel and it is a good way to cover the island in 4 hours albeit pricey at 100 euro per hour. One good thing about this property is that compared to other properties the number of steps you have to climb up and down is much less than others. On this trip I viewed Perivolas (rooms somewhat minimalist and lots of steps but not near anything); Katikies (a bit too exclusive for my taste, rooms not terribly impressive for the price and lots of steps but very close to pedestrian entrance of Oia); Zannos Melathron (didn't see the rooms but you have to walk through a maze of an old city uphill or ride a donkey just to reach the property and no view of the volcano). I didn't bother tp see the Amex Platinum Fine Resorts property but was told by my guide that it is a more traditional type of hotel and in a place that is secluded with no real view. The Astra Apartments were to me the most gorgeous and have a really secluded hideaway view over the volcano area, but again not close to anything and you're exhausted by the time you walk to the front entrance from your room. I didn't see the Sea Captains House which looks interesting if you want to be near or in Oia in a small type hotel like Tsitouras (Oia is about 15 km away from Fira); if you're into nightlife it's more interesting to be in Fira but I might have enjoyed it more to be closer to Oia where I could walk around more and see more things around me although it is certainly a day-trip place you can cover in an hour over lunch. I'm not a nightlife guy and by 9pm I was in my hotel room sitting around doing nothing because there is no place near the hotel to walk around after dark except to go to town to the bars. But all things considered it was a very relaxing property, probably the most user-friendly and Santorini is itself a lousy place to be by yourself but also a great place to get away from everyone and everything. So in that sense the property worked fine for me. For my purposes 2 nights was adequate.

A truly unforgettable experience in the most romantic setting! Eleni and Xrisi we cant thank you enough for all the details you had to take care of and for the excellent personalised service you provided . Looking forward to coming again next year !

Tete+Marielle